Thousands of people are needlessly living with sight loss because of a shortage of donors
More than 4,000 people in England are living with sight loss (1) when a cornea, the clear, outer layer of the eye, transplant could restore their vision and transform their life.
Figures released by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) on World Sight Day (Thursday 9 October) show the number of cornea transplants reached a 10 year high in 2024/25 (2), but still too many people are waiting for a life changing transplant – with 500 patients waiting for more than a year (1).
Unlike organs such as kidneys and lungs that need to be transplanted as soon as they are donated, corneas can be stored for 28 days until they are matched to a patient needing a cornea transplant.
The number of cornea donors fell by 3% in 2024/25 to 4,976 (3), contributing to the thousands of people waiting for a cornea transplant.
The NHS needs more people to agree to donate their eyes after death to help the thousands of people not able to see properly, bringing down the waiting list and reducing waiting times. While the whole eye is donated, it is the cornea that is transplanted. NHSBT needs 70 donors a week (140 corneas) to ensure there are enough corneas continuously available.
The shortage of cornea donors means patients waiting longer for sight saving transplants. Last year thousands of people - the average age of patients was 66 - received a cornea transplant, including more than 700 under 50s and 32 children (1).
One family that know better than most about the impact of cornea donation and the importance of needing a transplant is the Cronin family. Ben Cronin's life is on hold as he waits for a cornea transplant, including his dream of being a nurse, and specialist nurse for organ and donation one day.
Ben's story
Ben, from Suffolk, doesn't know how long he'll be waiting to have his sight restored. He has Keratoconus, a progressive eye condition where his cornea, the clear layer at the front of the eye, becomes thinner and bulges into a cone shape. Ben's dad – also called Ben - sadly died in 2011 and donated his corneas to give the gift of sight to 2 people.
Ben, who has a partner Andrew, volunteers at a hospital and helps with community engagement and mental health support at his local ambulance service.
The 33-year-old, who lives in Wrentham, says;
"The vision in my left eye has become increasingly blurred and unstable. Everyday tasks that most people take for granted, such as reading signs, recognising faces, or driving, have become extremely challenging. A cornea transplant is now the only option to restore some clarity and stability to my sight.
"My vision problems affect every part of my daily life. Simple activities have become difficult and exhausting. I had to leave my previous job as an administrator and even in my volunteering roles, I find myself struggling.
"I have been on the waiting list for a cornea transplant since the end of June, but it already feels like a long time. It is a strange balance between hope and uncertainty. As the son of a donor, I am deeply aware that my chance of seeing clearly again will come through someone else’s loss, and that is a difficult thought to hold.
"A cornea transplant would give me back a part of my life that has been slipping away. Until I have had this transplant, I am unable to apply for new jobs or begin my nurse training. I will be forever grateful to my donor and their family.
"I would tell people that donation, whether it is corneas, tissues, organs or blood is one of the most selfless and powerful gifts anyone can give. Corneal donation does not just restore sight; it restores independence, dignity, and a person’s place in the world. Two small, transparent pieces of tissue can completely transform someone's life."
Ben's dad – also called Ben, from Halesworth, Suffolk, died 14 years ago, aged 69, after falling ill, ending up with pneumonia and sepsis. He was able to donate his corneas and save the sight of 2 people.
Ben says of his dad:
"When he first became unwell, we thought it was just a simple cold. Over the next few days, his condition worsened. Despite every effort made to save him, life support was withdrawn and he passed away peacefully.
"It was a very difficult time for all of us, especially as my mum had already suffered 2 heart attacks in the 6 months before. We were all exhausted, emotionally and physically.
"Organ and tissue donation was something our family had always supported and spoken about openly. We were able to confirm that it was what he would have wanted. The decision felt natural and right.
"I feel immensely proud of my dad and comforted by the knowledge that he helped others. Donation did not take away the pain of losing him, but it gave that loss meaning. It is something that continues to make me proud every single day.
"As someone who is now waiting for a cornea transplant myself, the connection feels even more personal. It is humbling to be on both sides of donation — as part of a donor family and as a future recipient."
Ben’s mum, Pam, Ben's wife, pays tribute to her husband. The 59-year-old, from Lowestoft, Suffolk, added:
"When Ben died, I felt that part of me died too. I still miss him all the time. The one thing that helped enormously was the fact that he was able to be a donor. Knowing that someone can now see because of his generosity is such a blessing. The fact that his corneas were able to be used seems oddly fitting now our son, Ben, is awaiting a corneal transplant.
"Ben was my soulmate; we could talk about anything. We both rode large motorbikes and knew the risks involved, we discussed organ donation from the start. Ben was totally in favour of donation and carried the card on him always, as did I. He often said that they could use anything they needed as he obviously had no need of it after death.
"Please, please discuss organ donation with your loved ones and friends, it really helps if everyone knows your wishes and it makes it so much easier at a time when decision making is all but impossible.
"I understand both sides now and know that someone will be donating whilst their loved ones grieve so that my son will be able to see again. The gift is so incredibly precious, so thank you."
Ben adds:
"As a donor family, our message is simple: talk to your loved ones about donation and make your wishes known. Donation is a deeply compassionate act that can bring comfort and pride to those left behind, as well as transform the lives of others."
Most people (82% of registrants on the NHS Organ Donor Register) are willing to donate all their organs and corneas after death. Of the 18% who have chosen not to donate all organs and corneas, almost two thirds have said they do not want to donate their corneas – around 3.3 million people. (4)
Most people, of any age and with most medical histories, can donate their corneas when they die and leave a lasting legacy of giving someone the life changing gift of sight, even if they are unable to be an organ donor. Even having sight problems, for example, cataracts, does not mean someone can’t be a cornea donor.
How you can help
Kyle Bennett, Assistant Director - Tissue and Eye Services at NHS Blood and Transplant says:
"By agreeing to donate your corneas, you can transform the life of someone who hasn’t been able to see their family properly or live a normal life. Thousands of people are waiting for eye surgery which can transform their sight and their life. Giving the gift of sight is incredibly powerful and lifechanging.
"There are not enough cornea donations to help those waiting for a life changing transplant. Please consider leaving an amazing legacy of the gift of sight by agreeing to donate your corneas. Join the NHS Organ Donor Register and tell your family."
The whole eye is donated, but only the cornea and sclera (the white outer coating of the eye) are transplanted.
NHSBT launched a partnership with Specsavers last year to help promote the need for more cornea donors. There is also work in place with Hospice UK treating patients at end-of-life care to reassure those who wish to be cornea donors that there are very few restrictions to donating corneas after death and they can be donated in settings outside of hospitals.
Find out more about cornea donation on our website or register your organ and tissue donation decision. You can also call 0300 123 23 or use the NHS app.
Press release notes
- Figures from NHS England for England only
- There were 5,071 cornea transplants in the UK reported to NHS Blood and Transplant in 2024/25. This is a ten year high, with the next nearest year – 4,638 2019/20.
- There were 4,976 donated corneas recorded in the UK by NHS Blood and Transplant in 2024/25, down from 5,134 in 2023/24
- There were over 28.4 million people opted in to donation on the NHS Organ Donor Register in March 2025. 82% - 23.2 million were willing to donate all organs and corneas and 18% 5.1 million have restrictions, with 65% 3.3 million people opting not to donate their corneas.